Hyderabad: Dr K. Laxman, BJP State President, said that Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance Scheme, which is going to be launched by the Prime Minister, this month, is meant for providing comprehensive healthcare to the people. He said the scheme aims to provide an annual health cover up to Rs 5 lakh to about 10 crore vulnerable families.
He urged the state governments to come forward in the implementation of the scheme. Dr. Laxman was speaking after inaugurating a Regional Workshop on ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ and ‘Ayushman Bharat’ here today. The workshop was being organized by the Regional Outreach Bureau (ROB) under the Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. He said there was a need to spread awareness among the people about this scheme.
Welfare schemes will succeed if people,s participation is ensured, he said. Dr. Laxman said that, the centre has made health services accessible to the poor and is providing generic medicines through ‘Jan Aushadhi’ stores. He said that there is an urgent need to implement Swachh Bharat programmes and ensure that open defecation is completely stopped. Toilets have to be provided as a mark or respect for our women folk, he said. He said over 7 crore toilets have been constructed in the last four years. Dr. Laxman congratulated the ROB officials and S&DD artistes ROB for their efforts in this direction.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Shri TVK Reddy, ADG (Region) Press Information Bureau (PIB) said that, the artistes of 45 PRTs (Private Registered Troops) will travel extensively in the state in the next six months and spread awareness about ‘Ayushman Bharat and Swachh Bharat Mission’.
Dr. M. Anuradha, Director, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, said that, ‘Ayushman Bharat’ provides insurance cover for about 1,345 medical treatments. She said the Government of Andhra Pradesh has already signed an MOU with the Government of India for its implementation, and Telangana too will soon sign the MOU. She said Ayushman Bharat provides insurance cover to more illnesses than private insurance companies.
John Babu, Joint Director, Leprosy Mission said that government aimed to eradicate leprosy totally by 2019. Dr. Sukruta Reddy, Joint Director, Family Welfare, Government of Telangana also spoke. Shri Devendra, Joint Director, ROB, Hyderabad proposed vote of thanks. Officials of the Ministry of I&B, ROB and artistes in large numbers attended the workshop. (NSS)
